Article by Medha Vasisht
Illustrations by Kirsty Lloyd
Cultural Impact
Wisdom, strength, endurance – all these characteristics associated with salmon mean the fish run through mythology as they do up the rivers of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland each year during the Atlantic salmon’s migration.
In North European Folk Tales
One such tale from Ireland has it that Fionn mac Cumhaill, the legendary Irish hero, gains all the world’s knowledge by tasting the Salmon of Knowledge which had eaten hazelnuts from the sacred trees surrounding the Segais Well.
In the Welsh tale of Culhwch and Olwen, a series of impossible tasks is set before Culhwch by his potential father-in-law – all to earn his beloved Olwen’s hand. In one such mission, it is only the Salmon of Llyn Llyw – the wisest and oldest living creature – who can help Culhwch and the other knights of King Arthur to find an imprisoned comrade, and even graciously offers them a ride on his back!
You’ve probably heard of Loki, the conniving god of Norse mythology. After tricking a blind god into killing Baldor, the most beloved of the gods, he is said to have turned into a salmon to escape the wrath of the other gods. Even in slippery fish form, he was no match for Thor, who traps Loki so tightly that he gives salmon its iconic taper. Such shape-shifting stories illustrate salmon’s association with transformation and adaptability in these northern European traditions.
Salmon as Food
For generations, Norway, Sweden, and Finland have been major exporters of this fish – the frigid rivers, fjords, and streams of Scandinavia swarm with Atlantic salmon. They were once shipped in barrels where the fish were brined, cured or smoked to travel great distances. These processes gave birth to gravlax, a popular Norwegian delicacy; it is lox that has been spice-cured, thinly sliced, and served with sauce. Sounds delicious!
Salmon has been a vital food source for the Scottish since the Mesolithic period, with salmon festivals in the UK today celebrating this culinary icon while raising awareness about the importance of salmon’s conservation. Across the world, from Scotland to the Pacific Northwest, smoking techniques have been perfected for the famous smoked salmon, beloved for its succulent texture and smoky aroma.
Salmon has been consumed for millennia, and some archeological sites date back more than 11,000 years. The Ainu people of Japan were salmon-dependent, much like the indigenous peoples of the American Northwest. Salmon were considered a spiritual blessing; each fish’s spirit would only return if they were treated with the proper respect. Through handling corpses with care and holding welcoming ceremonies, the people made sure there would be an abundance of salmon for years to come.
Reflections
Across the globe, salmon has historically connected people to the land and to each other. While we can’t all have a taste of the Salmon of Knowledge, there’s a lot to learn from the salmon and its relentless journey. The word ‘salmon’ derives from the Latin for leap – ‘salire’. Leaping up waterfalls, being battered by rocks and still having the strength to keep going – no wonder this fish has endured as a symbol of cultural identity, prosperity and wisdom for so many.
After years at sea, salmon return to their birth river and swim resolutely upstream to their spawning grounds. Perhaps we can learn from their dramatic life cycles of perseverance, adaptation and connection, to protect salmon and all the cultures that it sustains.
Not So Freshwater
Our Not so Freshwater campaign is calling on the UK Government to:
- Reduce pesticide use by 50% (volume and toxicity) by 2030
- Create ambitious targets to restore field margins and riverside ecosystems to reduce field run-off and boost our waters for wildlife and people
If you want to support our campaign, head to our campaign page and write a letter to your MP or subscribe to our newsletter to get regular updates directly to your inbox.
If you’d like to help this iconic species continue to thrive in the UK and across the world, check out our Not So Freshwater campaign page and subscribe to our newsletter to get regular updates directly to your inbox.
